Oahu Quick Guides

courtesy of Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau

WAIKIKI

Duke Kahanamoku surfed here. Royal Hawaiian estates stood here. King Kamehameha himself once lived here. Today, this world famous stretch of beach is an exhilarating gathering place for visitors from around the world.

• Take a surfing lesson on Waikiki Beach.
• See Hawaii’s state fish, the humuhumunukunukuapuaa, up close at the Waikiki Aquarium.
• Take a picture next to the Duke Kahanamoku Statue.

HONOLULU

Home to the State Capitol, Honolulu is the vibrant epicenter of Hawaii. Here you’ll find everything from historic buildings and treasured monuments to world-class shopping and a flourishing arts and culture scene.

• Take a guided tour of Iolani Palace, the only Royal Palace on U.S. soil, then cross the street to view the King Kamehameha I statue.
• Marvel at the world’s finest collection of arts in the Pacific at the Bishop Museum.
• Soak in Honolulu harbor from atop historic Aloha Tower.
• Relax in an art gallery then eat some fresh dim sum in Chinatown.

WINDWARD COAST

Set beneath the towering green slopes of the Koolau mountains, the Windward side offers a scenic alternative to Waikiki, with it’s dramatic ocean views, quiet beaches, and lush vistas.

• Watch acrobatic dolphins and clever penguins (yes, penguins) at Sea Life Park.
• Drive around Makapuu Point to discover jaw-dropping views of the Pacific.
• Take a horseback ride at Kualoa Ranch.

NORTH SHORE

This fabled coast is legendary for its perfect winter waves and professional surf competitions. When the waves are tamer during the summer, the beaches offer peaceful places to swim and sunbathe.

• Cool down with a “shave ice” in the laid-back surf town of Haleiwa.
• See seven authentically recreated South Pacific islands at the Polynesian Cultural Center.
• Watch pro surfers charge 20 to 30 foot winter waves at Waimea Bay, Banzai Pipeline, and Sunset Beach .

CENTRAL OAHU

The fertile central valley between the Waianae mountains and Ko’olau range offers a peak into Oahu’s plantation past. Historic Pearl Harbor, the largest natural harbor in Hawaii, sits to the south.

• Sample a fresh cut, sweet pineapple and get lost in Dole Plantation’s 1.7 mile garden maze.
• Spend a day exploring Pearl Harbor, one of the nation’s most significant historical landmarks. View the moving exhibits at the USS Arizona Memorial and explore the Battleship Missouri Memorial, the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park, and the new Pacific Aviation Museum.

LEEWARD COAST

At the foot of the 4000 foot Waianae mountain range and less than 30 miles from Waikiki, the Leeward Coast is peppered with beautiful beaches. Luxurious resorts reside in the Ko Olina Marina.

• Surf the wave pool at the 29 acre Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park.
• Hike to the dramatic shorelines of sacred Kaena Point.

DRIVING TIMES

From Waikiki to:

Hanauma Bay: 30 min
Honolulu Int’l Airport (HNL): 20 min
Iolani Palace: 15 min
Kailua: 30 min
Ko Olina: 35 min
North Shore: 40 min
Nuuanu Pali Lookout: 20 min
Pearl Harbor: 30 min
Polynesian Cultural Center: 1 hr
Turtle Bay: 50 min